San Francisco - A Fresh Start for the Yankees
As the Yankees wrapped up spring training, optimism was in the air. For the first time in over a decade, they felt confident about their lineup from top to bottom. Despite starting the season with key pitchers like Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt on the injured list, the Yankees boasted impressive starting pitching depth.
However, the bullpen remained a question mark. Manager Aaron Boone highlighted the need for pitchers to carve out their roles early on.
“Guys need to establish roles and establish themselves in the bullpen, especially early on,” Boone noted. With David Bednar solidified as the closer, the rest of the bullpen had opportunities to prove themselves.
Boone explained that roles might not be fixed, emphasizing adaptability based on the game situation. “Depending on the opponent’s lineup, it could be Timmy Hill pitching in the eighth inning.
We’ll see how it shakes out,” Boone said. The focus is on handling high-leverage situations, as the biggest moments often arise in the sixth or seventh inning against the heart of the order.
Last year, the Yankees acquired Camilo Doval from the Giants, hoping he would bolster the bullpen. Initially, things didn’t go as planned.
Doval struggled to find his footing, posting a 4.82 ERA in 22 appearances. However, he showed improvement towards the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.
Fast forward to 2026, and Doval, now 28, is looking more like the pitcher who shined with the Giants. His spring training performances and first two outings of the season have been promising. Doval delivered a scoreless ninth inning in the season opener and struck out the side in a commanding eighth inning performance in the second game.
“Dominant,” Boone described Doval’s recent outing. “The sinker from the side looked like a split, and his pace and tempo were on point. That was a dominant 1-2-3 inning, showcasing what he can be when he’s rolling.”
Ryan McMahon, who joined the Yankees from the Rockies, has seen Doval’s potential firsthand. “He’s thrown some incredible pitches,” McMahon remarked.
“The movement is reminiscent of his successful seasons. It’s about getting him confident again.”
Doval, who had a standout 2023 season with a 2.93 ERA and 39 saves, aims to reach or surpass that level. “It’s definitely a goal to be close to that version of myself from 2023,” Doval shared through his interpreter. “Or even better.”
McMahon, having faced Doval before, knows the challenge. “It’s not fun.
Honestly, all of his pitches aren’t fun,” McMahon admitted. “When he’s on, even one or two pitches are tough.
But if he has all three going, he’s nearly unhittable.”
As the Yankees look to sweep the Giants, the bullpen’s evolution could be a key factor in their success this season. With Doval finding his groove, the Yankees might just have the dependable late-inning arm they’ve been seeking.